Inclusion

Preservation & Inclusion

Today’s preservation movement recognizes the need for more complete, inclusive representation of communities across the nation, which are increasingly socio-economically, racially, ethnically, culturally, and generationally diverse. Preservation efforts must prioritize inclusion in order to tell an accurate and comprehensive story—and to remain relevant. Professional development and training resources help preservationists engage diverse groups and preserve sites significant to historically underrepresented communities—including people of color, women, LGBTQ, and youth—to tell a broader range of stories.

Diversity Scholarship Program

The Diversity Scholarship Program supports the attendance of leaders from underrepresented communities new to preservation and of emerging preservation professionals at the National Trust's annual conference, PastForward.

Spring 2017 Forum Journal

Preserving Difficult Histories

This issue of the Forum Journal, published in partnership with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, explores interpretation and preservation efforts at sites associated with difficult histories. Using a diversity of approaches, preservationists and social activists across the country call on the power of place and narrative to illuminate some of the most painful chapters of our nation’s past. This work is vital not only because such history is frequently underrepresented and thus not widely known but also because many of the lessons we stand to learn from these sites resonate deeply with contemporary events. The breadth of sites and institutions featured in this issue is a testament to the unique capacity of preservation to represent difficult histories, address painful pasts, and recognize the underrepresented stories that are a vital part of our nation’s heritage. [Members Only]

Tell the Full History

The National Trust and its partners are raising $25 million to create and invest in the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund—the largest preservation campaign ever undertaken on behalf of African American history.Our mission: to draw attention to theremarkable stories that evoke centuries of African American activism and achievement, and to tell our nation’s full history.

PastForward TrustLive

Working with Communities New to Preservation

Being more inclusive often means introducing new communities to the world of historic preservation. These tools provide background information to aptly navigate the intricacies of the preservation field.

The Preservation Leadership Forum of the National Trust for Historic
Preservation is a network of preservation leaders — professionals,
students, volunteers, activists, experts — who share the latest
ideas, information, and advice, and have access to in-depth
preservation resources and training.